I love when the school year nears its end because it is always so much fun to see the teens decked out in their prom gear and the excited and gleeful looks in their family members’ eyes. I also love to witness the college signing days where students publicly commit to their schools of choice. And then there are the graduations, the time when high school and college students are excited to end one chapter of their lives, but generally scared as heck of the next, often uncertain chapter.
I often participate in these special times in a youth’s life either because they are family members, a child of a friend, or even someone I have mentored over the years.
Last week, I was able to witness something very special for one local youth in particular, something I had never witnessed before: the Eagle Court of Honor for Austin Crawley.
Austin is a longtime Boy Scouts member in Troop 123, one of the largest inner-city troops in Indianapolis. For nearly 10 years, the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper has sponsored Troop 123, which holds its meetings in the 46218 area-code — one of the city’s highest crime areas.
I became involved with Boys Scouts a decade ago when I was introduced to Scott Claybaugh, the former Scouts executive for Crossroads of America Council. Scott is a very passionate man who has been involved with scouting for decades. I was impressed with Scott’s obvious desire to enhance the lives of young men in the community — regardless of their backgrounds. His commitment to scouting — from the outreach perspective to the business aspect — were unparalleled. Scott retired from Crossroads of America a couple years after I met him, but his love for scouting has never subsided.
I wanted the Recorder to sponsor Troop 123 for a variety of reasons: 1. I believe in the mission and fundamental values of scouting and I’ve seen evidence of how it truly helps young males better navigate their lives. 2. I loved the idea of young Black men from an urban environment being involved with scouting. 3. Through the pages of the Recorder and our Indiana Minority Business Magazine, I wanted to show residents of Indiana that the stereotypical perception of young Black males was not the reality for all Black males. 4. I wanted the young men in the troop to remain on the right track through positive reinforcement: telling their stories, encouraging them, and giving them opportunities to expose scouting to other minorities.
Generally, people correlate scouting with outdoors activities and a brotherhood of sorts. While those are certainly aspects of scouting, those things aren’t what I found most appealing as I became deeper involved in scouting over the years.
Boys who participate in scouting are more likely to improve their grades, they are less likely to respond to peer pressure and they become more accountable and responsible — all while also experiencing the cool outdoor activities and other character-building things. I knew that the items I listed above are what would attract a Black mother who was raising her child single handedly. I knew if it came down to a working Black father who had to sacrifice his time to take his son to an activity, that father would be more willing to do so if he felt his son was gaining principles that could be used as her grew into manhood.
While I’ve encountered many great young men who participated in Troop 123, I have never had the opportunity to witness or participate in an Eagle Court of Honor ceremony. Reaching Eagle Scout status is something that only a small percentage of Boy Scouts accomplish — only about 4 percent. That number drastically reduces for African-American boys. The requirements to achieve such a rank are extensive and generally takes years to fulfill. Understanding how rare becoming an Eagle Scout is makes me even more proud of Austin. That young man has beat the odds in so many ways. In addition to reaching Eagle Scout status, Austin has excelled academically and in music. He was offered two full-ride scholarships to Alcorn State University in Mississippi and Indy’s own Marian College. Austin committed to Marian and this fall he will major in music education with a minor in world studies.
I was humbled when I learned I was on the program to provide remarks at Austin’s Eagle Court of Honor, but the highlight of my day was seeing pride exude from Austin’s face. I found myself in a nostalgic mood as I remembered when I first encountered Austin during the initial year as Troop 123’s sponsor. There was something about him that calmed my spirit almost immediately; I knew despite challenges in his life he would be OK, I knew he would go far in life. As I looked at pictures of Austin and the other young men that were published in the Recorder over the years, I was amazed at how much he has grown … not only physically, but also socially and academically. As I watched him at last week’s ceremony, I knew his advancements had a lot to do with scouting as well as his own sheer determination, but also because of the people who invested their time in him.
Austin has an amazing grandmother who raised him, his father is in his life and he has some really great mentors. He also has the support of Nathan Williams and Wayne Moore, charter representative and scout master for Troop 123 respectively.
During the ceremony, I began to tear up because I was reminded that it indeed takes a village to raise a child. I also became choked up because I know the possibilities for our youth are limitless as long as we expose them and invest our time in them. My husband and our son were with me at the ceremony. I kept looking at my little guy wondering about his future. I know Robert and I will pour into him, but I pray others will too because I know the more positive people he has around him, the better he will be … Austin is evidence of that.
